Abortion is Wrong
I’ve been so angry this past week. The Arizona abortion decision has been on every news channel almost every minute. That is not what made me furious, however. It is that a clear-cut victory for the pro-life movement has been sold out by almost all politicians, regardless of party.
I was going to compose a great article this morning. My wonderful column was written out in my head. It was going to be the kind of article that was going to change minds.
But it doesn’t seem to matter much anymore. I started out writing my column several weeks ago wanting to preach love and now I was just lecturing. Everything just seems different now.
I called up my friend yesterday morning and told him about my upcoming abortion article.
Me: I’m going to put the abortion movement in its place
Friend: Is your condemnation truly that important
Me: Is there another way?
Friend: You tell me
Abortion is Not the Only Issue
Everything has changed now and it’s not just due to my friend’s skepticism. Maybe God has been trying to teach me a lesson, or I mixed up my priorities.
Either way, I’m more focused this morning than ever. Where you stand on abortion is not nearly as important for Christians as how we love, how we forgive, and how we treat our family.
The last 24 hours have taught me that. In that timeframe, I’ve been hearing about how Iran will destroy Israel.
Also, a family member let me know my cousin is extremely ill. It is up in the air if he is going to pull through.
It has been almost 30 years since I last saw David. I’ve thought about him through the years, always hoping for the best for him. We were closer growing up, but both time and distance has taken its toll on our relationship.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure the relationship mattered. But I’m a sinner and lost perspective.
Jesus, who I try to model my life after, knows that reconciliation among those we’ve lost touch with is of the utmost importance. It’s far more significant than me telling you who is living a godly life and who is not.
God’s holy land is under attack and my cousin is facing an uphill battle.
But I’m going to change for the better and embrace love.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation can be found in various parts of the bible as Billy Graham showed me last night. Will We Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven? (billygraham.org) In Matthew 8:11 Jesus says, “Many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
According to Graham, this passage along with many others shows that we will be reunited with those we knew on earth.
I’m hoping both the chosen people of Israel, and my Christian cousin are victorious in their battles. But I realize I was being my own worst enemy. Because where you stand on an issue, no matter how many great arguments you can list, means close to zilch.
I want to be the person who reaches out to others with compassion. They certainly don’t need my lectures about right and wrong. My values may be different from theirs, but I believe “in the end only kindness matters. I will get down on my knees and I will pray.” Jewel – Hands Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
The thirty years since I’ve spoken with David have gone by too quickly, and maybe I’ll buy that plane ticket and make amends. But I will see him again.
Reunited in the Afterlife
I’m growing weaker and tearing up thinking of David so I will turn to Reverend Graham again who points out our upcoming reunion. Will We Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven? (billygraham.org)
Graham reflects on a question he receives often from family members who suffer the tragedy of losing a child. They want to know if they will be reunited again in heaven. He assures us this will indeed happen.
I hope I don’t have to wait until heaven to see my cousin but what Graham said rings true for me. “What a marvelous reunion when the family of God gathers in Heaven to praise his name.” Will We Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven? (billygraham.org)
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